The Middle East - has anything really changed?

In response to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack from Gaza into Israel (killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians) Israel has mounted a continuing military campaign in Gaza aiming to destroy Hamas. Gaza claims that the invasion has killed more than 25,000 Gazans. A large proportion of the population are now clustered in southern Gaza adjacent to the Egyptian border. Clashes have also occurred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. Criticism of Israel's actions has been widespread, more so than in the past. Israeli responses have been sharp.

The underlying issues surrounding Israel's place in its regional environment have been largely unchanged and unresolved since Israel's establishment three quarters of a century ago.

Gaza-Israel conflict began in 1948, soon after Israel's establishment. 200,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, settling as refugees in the Gaza strip, an area on the Mediterranean coast 12 kilometres wide at its widest and 365 square kilometres in area – one thirty-fifth the size of greater Sydney. Major conflict erupted in the First and Second Intifadas (1987 and 2000). When Hamas won the 2006 election Israel imposed a land, air and sea blockade Further conflict has occurred in 2014, 2019 and 2021.

We are privileged to welcome the Hon Bob Carr, former Australian foreign minister and Premier of New South Wales, to offer us his analysis of the situation.

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, February 27.

We welcome participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid . Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door.

Refreshments will be served from 6pm at Glover Cottages. The event will start at 6.30pm AEST (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time), Tuesday February 27 .

This event will not be streamed online via Zoom.

For further information please email nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au